finesse

[ fi-ness ]

noun

1. extreme delicacy or subtlety in action, performance, skill, discrimination, taste, etc.

   Synonyms: sensibility, sensitivity, circumspection, diplomacy, tact

2. skill in handling a difficult or highly sensitive situation; adroit and artful management:

   exceptional diplomatic finesse.

   Synonyms: sensibility, sensitivity, circumspection, diplomacy, tact

3. a trick, artifice, or stratagem.
4. Bridge, Whist. an attempt to win a trick with a card while holding a higher card not in sequence with it, in the hope that the card or cards between will not be played.

verb (used without object)

, fi·nessed, fi·ness·ing.

1. to use finesse or artifice.
2. to make a finesse at cards.

verb (used with object)

, fi·nessed, fi·ness·ing.

1. to bring about by finesse or artifice.
2. to avoid; circumvent.
3. to make a finesse with (a card).
4. to force the playing of (a card) by a finesse.

finesse

/ fɪˈnɛs /

noun

1. elegant skill in style or performance
2. subtlety and tact in handling difficult situations
3. bridge whist an attempt to win a trick when opponents hold a high card in the suit led by playing a lower card, hoping the opponent who has already played holds the missing card
4. a trick, artifice, or strategy

verb

1. to manage or bring about with finesse
2. to play (a card) as a finesse

Word History and Origins

Origin of finesse¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: “degree of excellence or purity,” from Middle French, from fin fine ¹ + -esse -ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of finesse¹

C15: from Old French, from fin fine, delicate; see fine ¹

Example Sentences

Whether it is fitness, lack of tactical finesse or a shortage of bench strength, the fade is real.

From BBC

According to the documentary, Chanel sent interns and seamstresses to the farm in many failed attempts to master the woman’s technique — but only her hands were capable of such finesse.

From Los Angeles Times

Even with his slick delivery, he was unable to finesse that reality on the debate stage.

From Salon

Because while Trump may just be clumsily trying to finesse the abortion issue and shrink the massive gender gap with his creepy rhetoric, Vance has some very well-developed thoughts on that issue.

From Salon

“Kill Move Paradise” moves unsteadily as a stage poem, though there’s clearly more at stake than artistic finesse.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acumen
• competence
• guile
• quickness
• savvy
• skill
• sophistication
• subtlety
• tact